Kite, captive, or observation balloon.



APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I917.

1mm! 1m. i7, 191s.

LQSSAEEL "capacity ol ences project upwardly and outwardly at reverse oblique angles to a horizontal line extending transversely through the center of the bag, and are disposed wholly above the horizontal center oi? the bag and in similar positions on opposite sides thereof.

Each of the said iins or protubcrances consists of a substantially scroll-shaped or involute tubular body or protuberance (5 w iich is connected at its forward endwvith the side of the bag at a point about in line with the forward part of the tapered tail portion, and thence extends inwardly end rearwardly on a spiral line and has its rear end curved inwardly and forwardly and connected with the extremity of the tail portion, thus spacing the tubular body from the tail portion between its extremities Occupying this space body and the tail portion the bag is a vane or web 7, which cooperates w' the tubular portion to suilicient wind surface to establish desired amount of resistance for it stabilizing action. and a proper amount of lifting etfcct'to assist sustension.

form an uerottoii, giving it will be obvious that by the described construction of the stabilizers or protuberunces the tendency of the bag to plunge vertically, move laterally or to roll will be resisted. in u reliable and effective manner, thus insuring a maximum degree of stability.

in practice, a greater or lesser niunber of the protuberances than the number shown may be employed, it being essential, hOW- ever, to employ at least two of such protuberances, suitably arranged to prevent side drift, rolling or plunging or the gas ba By the use of ance 5, which serves the vertical protubeu the function of a vertieel fin or rudder vane, lateral deflection or side drift is prevented, while the upper inclined fins 5 serve to prevent rolling, plunging or other deflections of the bag from a stable position even under the pressures of high winds, thus insuring steadiness of the balloon in all kinds of Weather and at different altitudes. It will be observed that the upper inclined protuberances serve, with their webs or fins, to provide lifting surfaces, thus increasing the lifting and sustaining the balloon, as will be readily llIlIlCl'StOOfl. Owing to the great stability oi? the balloon due to the described stabilizing eoi'istruction, the use of dangerous and objectionable tail appendages is avoided, and smaller and lightr mooring and towing cables may be employed, and the balloon launched and landed with much greater ease and facility.

In practice, the tubular protuberacos 5 may communicate with. the gas containing a bsllonet or they may be distended tor an obvious purpose.

space of the bag 1, or with all containing space, so that kept ,see,esi

between each. tubular" When filled with air the protuberances will. provide aeroioil surfaces of adequate area. to catch and utilize the force of the wind u lift-hwagei'it, and when filled with. hy drogen other gas lighter than air the tuber-slices will produce an additional. lift ing force equal to the sum oi the wind plus the l "ting force of the Bracing elements 8 connect-the curved ends of the pro tuberances 5, and these bracing elements may be in the form of connecting tubes, to allow air or to flow :lfroni one protuberunce to the other, and thus keep the pressures therein equalized. ll desired, the webs 7 may also be hollow and form receptacles rounnunienting with the b g or protubec nnces, or both, for the suppl; or air or gas thereto to increase the area the st ibilirlug surfaces as a Whole.

A material and in'rporteut of my improved stabilizing construction, in addition to dispensing with trailing tell anpenduges, is that the elements, While pcrtorniii'ig the desirable functions forth, lie within a space not greater than the major diuuieter'oi the gas beg, thus so curing great compactness and allowing the balloon to be stored and transported Wi li great convenience and facility. rlaviug thus described my invention, claim:

vii" ed with one or more hollow inflatable involutc stabilizing prctuberunces upon the tai portion. thereof.

A balloon comprising; :1 cigeiosha-pcd gas bag provided with one or more hollow inflatable, scroll-shaped stabilizing pro-tit berances upon the tapered tell portion thereof.

3. A. balloon comprising a gasbag provided with one or more hollow inflatable, spirally disposed involute protuberences upon the tail portion thereof.

4. it balloon comprising a be pro vided with apluriility of hollen inlihtebie involute protuberances upon the tail portion thereof, protuberancee being grouped about said tail portion.

5. A vided with a tapered tell portion and splurelity of equidistant-ly spaced hollow inflatable involute stabilizing; protuberences grouped about the said taper .d tail portion thereof.

o. A balloon comprising a. gas bag pro l. A balloon comprising a pro balloon comprising a gas bag pres eel by said protuberance and disposed be tween the same and the bag.

S A balloon comprising a gas bag having an annular series of protuberances upon the tail portion thereof, each of said protuberances comprising a scroll-shaped. tubulaibody and webs bounded by said; protubel'anees and tlisnosecl between the some and the body,

9.. A balloon com rising a tapered body having scroll-shaped protuberanoes upon the tail portion thereof, each protuberance com prising a "tubular body in communication with the bag and a web bounded by said tubular body and disposed between the same and the bag, said protuberances being in communication with each other.

10. A balloon comprising a gas bag having a tapered tail portion, and an annular series of protuberances wrouped about said tail portion, each protuberance con'iprising a scroll-shaped tube communicating with the bag, and a Web bounded by said tube and disppsecl between the same and the bag, and conductors connecting the rear ends of saifl tubes.

11. A balloon comprising a tapered body having scroll-shaped protuberanres upon the tail portion thereof, each.protuberance oom- 'p'llhflilg a tubular bodyin communication with 'thebag and a web bounded by said tubular body and llSpOSeIll)GiQWQUH the same and the bag. i

A balloon comprising a gas bag having a tapered tail portion and an annular series of protuheranees grouped about said tail portion, each protuberance comprising a scroll-shaped tube communicating with the bag and a web bounded by said tube and disposed between the same and the bar and comprising elements connecting the rear ends of said tubes.

13. A balloon (,fllllpllsing a cigar-shaped gas bag provitlecl upon the tail. portion thereof with scroll-shaped protuberance, each protube 'anee comprising spirally ranged involute tubular body in communication with the bag, and a Web bounded. by

tuber-once ooi'nprising a spirally arranged r involute scroll-shaped tube communicating with the bag, and a web bounded, by said tube and disposed. between the some and bag) one of said protuheranccs being arranged rertioally in line with the center of the bag and the other protuberances being arranged. at an angle to the vertical on opposite sides of the ba if). A balloon comprising a cigar-shaped bag provided upon the tapered "tail portion thereoi with an annular series o'l three protuberanees groi'rperl about said tail POI tion, each protuberance comprising spirally arranged scroll-shaped involute tubular body eonnnunicating with the bag, and a web bounded by said tubular body and disposed between the some and the bag, one

of Said protnhorances being arranged eentroll upon the underside of the tail portion, and. the other of said protuberanocs arranged so as to project upwardly and out werdly at reverse ob. ue angles, to a hori zontal line extending transversely *tirroi the center of the bag.

in testimony whereof ll aliix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

C XAELES F. SM

I'l'H.

liitnesses:

C", (3. Creiunn'rs. 

